fish
Channel catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
CautionEdiblecommon
Forked tail, spots on young fish, four pairs of barbels. Main eating cat of the creek and river.
A scaleless catfish. Deeply forked tail. Scattered dark spots on smaller fish. Spine in the dorsal and pectoral fins can cut you.
- Habitat
- Laughery Creek holes, Ohio River, farm ponds.
- Season
- Best eating late spring–fall. Night lines work.
- Size
- 2–10 lb typical
- Field marks
- Forked tail; spots on young; barbels
Use
Fried, smoked. Skin, don’t scale. Watch the spines. In extreme heat, check Ohio River fish advisories if they still exist.